Peep!

“Peep”

By Priscilla Blain and Chelsea Carter

Of Stitching with the Housewives

You can’t see it well above,

But I thought the tiny yellow rick rack set if off :)

I decided I had to stitch it when I bought the Peep Peep plate by Rae Dunn.

Don’t they look so sweet together?

I started decorating for Easter

And it picks up my spirit.

Hippity Hop

from “Carrots and Cottontails Farm”

By Hands On Design 

And Priscilla Blain 

I finished stitching this last year, but never fully finished it.

I found this sweet orange gingham rickrack that I just had to use.

Priscilla and Chelsea inspired this finish as well.

And my little vignette.

Finally, be strong in the Lord, relying on his mighty strength. 

Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the Devil’s strategies.

~Ephesians 6:10-11

Blessings, Patti

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

"March Cottage"

by Country Cottage Needleworks

Wishing you a Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Here are a few vignettes from around my house

of  needlework from previous years...

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

    He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

  he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

    for his name’s sake.

~Psalm 23:1-3

Blessings, Patti

A Visit to French General

When my husband and I were in Los Angeles in January,

we stopped at French General!

It was during the Road to California Quilt Show, which I didn't have the time to attend, 

so I was so grateful that the shop was open. 

As soon as you walk in the door, you feel like you are entering another beautiful, peaceful world.

So many treasures in every nook and cranny!

I loved this antique blue cabinet full of threads and would love to have it live with me!

Of course there are stunning quilts everywhere!

I could have admired this cabinet for hours!

The antique millenary flowers

and ribbons -  Oh My!

You have to look up as well, so that you don't miss a thing!

You know that I didn't come home empty handed...

I bought the pretty heart in hand charm and the amazing milagro filled heart, 

both brought back by Kaari from her travels to Mexico.

And thread winders and an antique button and glass bead bracelet.

And you can't leave French General without some French General fabric ;)

I hope that I will get a chance to visit again someday...

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul 

and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

~Matthew 22:37-39

Blessings, Patti

Los Angeles this winter

As I mentioned in my last post, I spent time in Los Angeles in January and in February.

 I enjoyed the hotel that we stayed at in January so much that I returned to the same in February.

I liked this sweet vignette on the mantle of the outdoor fireplace.

A cool hotel in a great location and a short walk from our son's apartment.

Neat plants every where I looked 

and a lovely wall of flowers by the pool.

We took a great walk/hike at Runyon Canyon

Although it we weren't able to do the entire path and back.

Love the prickly pear cactus!

I spent time on both trips at the historic Farmers Market

So many great vendors

Of course, I love the healthy ones lol.

A few visits and I still have lots more that I  want to try.

On my second trip, I visited one of my favorite restaurants

Coco Curry Ichibanya for some yummy comfort food  -  Japanese Curry

(I recommend the Pork Cutlet)

This popular international chain can only be found in the

Los Angeles area and Honolulu, Hawaii within the United States.

This great view is what my son sees whenever he parks his car at school. 

I could get used to that ;)

The Bird of Paradise flowers always catch my eye.

And they obviously caught the eye of this little fellow.

Hopefully you can see him better here. 

Such lovely flowers in the dead of winter.

We also walked over to The Grove a few times to stroll and window shop.

Good bye Los Angeles, 

I hope to be back to visit soon, but not too soon...

 Hello sweet home Chicago!

I did visit one magical shop in Los Angeles that deserves a post of its own,

that will follow soon.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth

~1 John 3:18

Blessings, Patti

February Finishes

2017 Collector's Heart

by Heart in Hand Needleart

I love this phrase and it was so appropriate to stitch this year as we became empty nesters in January.

This design came with the linen, button and beads. The colors are so soft and pretty and I wanted a unique finish. It's hard to capture colors in the harsh winter sun.

I know that it has been a month since I last posted. 2020 started off with a bang!

We moved our youngest out to Los Angeles. We enjoyed our visit, but leaving was so very hard to do. I have some fun to post about that trip, just need to find the time.

About a week and a half later, our oldest had surgery. He is recuperating and doing well. Just two days later our youngest had emergency surgery in Los Angeles.  He had only been there for two weeks and was still getting to know his roommates and the lay of the land. I was back on a plane and headed for LA. Through both surgeries and the 4+ hour plane ride, I cross stitched while praying. Cross stitch provided focus and a productive diversion to get me through it all while praying. When fully finished  I'll attach a tag to the back to remind what was going on while I was stitching. I was surprised at how well he was doing when I got out there. He is a strong young man who had been through a lot as young child. It did my heart good to see him and made me more comfortable returning home, although it was still hard. He is back to school and work and hopes to be fully recovered next month.

In the past week, both my husband and I have come down with a bad case of the flu. We are getting better and hope that the first two months are not a preview of the rest of the year, 

but that things will calm down at least a bit.  

After finishing my advent candle wraps, I decided to continue stitching a special project on Sundays.

I've started working through the 2019 Quaint Country Ladies kits.

I finished stitching the first kit and just need to fully finish.

Isn't the backing fabric just perfect?!

I hope that your 2020 has started in a quieter form :)

and I hope to be back soon!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. 

As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

~John 13:34-35

Blessings, Patti